Oppositional Defiant Disorder, School Age

You said that your child talks back, argues, and does not do what you ask. You said that your child acts this way more often than other children his/her age. When your child acts this way it causes big problems for him/her at home and/or school. Children with these problems often have Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD).

Your child has been acting in 4 or more of the following ways:

• Often has temper tantrums
• Argues a lot with adults
• Refuses to do what adults tell him/her to do
• Tries to annoy or upset people on purpose
• Blames others for his/her mistakes or behavior
• Is touchy or easily annoyed by others
• Often angry; Holds a grudge
• Mean and hateful talking when upset
• Seeks revenge or tries to "get even"

Many children with ODD only act this way at home. A few children only act this way at school. Some act this way in both places.

ODD is a common problem. Five to fifteen percent of school-aged children have ODD. These problems usually start by age 8. A child with ODD may also have learning problems. Children with ODD who don't get help may get into even more trouble (e.g., stealing, breaking things, fighting).

Adapted in part from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) Facts for Families© series (1997) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Primary Care (DSM-PC) (1996).